After a few struggles getting the laptop connections, Rudy called the meeting to order with an acknowledgment that we are meeting on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples including the Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui, and Semiahmoo First Nations. This was followed by reminding that the Rotary Club of Langley was established in 1958 and that we have a proud past and a bright future, plus, we are home to Past District Governors Stafford, Armstrong and Wiebe.
We stood to sing O Canada together. “Wonderful. Thank you very much. Good singing.” We welcomed guests Mary Tanelian, Yasmine Cepele and Sienna Hermary who joined Nora, Wayne, Rudy, Allan, John, Nav, Merle, Leon, Bob and Anthony at Timms.
Navnit Shah reminded about Arlene and Wayne Wiebe’s 56th wedding anniversary on the 12th. Wayne confirmed that he would be selling 50/50 tickets at Krause Berry Farms on Saturday with Nora joining him in the morning and Allan joining in the afternoon. On Sunday afternoon, Wayne and Merle will be selling at Thunderbird Equestrian Centre. President Rudy sent around the signup sheet for the club’s BBQ/Pool Party on Saturday, four o’clock, August 26 to be hosted by Jorda Maisey at 367-198 Street. Also on August 12 another container will be loaded and helpers are welcome.
LCSS Update
Rudy then introduced our guest speakers from Langley Community Services Society. Under Mary’s watchful eyes and assistance with the slideshow, Yasmine gave her first public presentation about the services offered by Langley Community Services Society. LCSS covers many services in many areas, and you are encouraged to check out the photos of their slide presentation (attached) for more details. Mary heads up the Settlement and Immigration Services, so that department was the main focus this evening.
Yasmine was a lawyer in Mexico but has enthusiastically embraced her new job at LCSS, having been there only four months. Mary mentioned the many demographic changes in Langley over the past five years, and the need to educate people to reduce stigma against immigrants. We need them, and they are not coming here to take away our jobs.
Editorial comment: Many are trained for jobs which they cannot get here in Canada due to English language difficulties and the red tape that our governments and licensing agencies insist on having. Having trained doctors working as cab drivers is no way to improve our society or help these people who are coming here in search of a better life.
End of sermon.
LCSS has seen the need for bus tickets increase from 120 to 540 per month. They offer services in two locations and assist in providing accommodation and groceries for newcomers. People from many countries are helped by this agency which has been serving Langley for over fifty years. Allan had Mary and Yasmine sign a book for Nicomekl Elementary School, our thank you gift to our speakers.
Rotary Moment with Wayne
The Rotary Moment:
Rotary's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We believe that exemplifying and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should be a part of everything we do at Rotary. To ensure we live up to that ideal, the Board of Directors and our DEI Taskforce acted to strengthen the DEI statement originally adopted in 2019. The result is in a new commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion:
At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.
In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.
The Light Touch
Wayne followed this with The Light Touch, featuring three more groaners.
“I stand corrected,” said the man in the orthopedic shoes.
What did the left eye say to the right eye? Between you and me, something smells.
It’s hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs. They always take things so literally.
Other updates
Donations were made for: filling up with gas in USA, saving significantly; having a lost hearing aid covered by insurance; visiting Lemon Bakery with his wife; attending a 60-year grad reunion; enjoying Mary and Yasmine’s presentation; our special guests; leading a walk at the arboretum; pipes needing repairs at Brookswood Seniors Centre; being out of the hospital again, and starting to recover; having to put their pet dog to sleep after 19 years; Dr. John bringing more members to the club barbecue; the terrible burning of La Haina; and managing to survive driving in Italy.
We closed with a toast to Canada. Next week we’ll be at the Rotary Interpretive Centre for another great (though not hybrid) Rotary evening.
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